Xala (1975)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]"Xala" starts with the European rulers being tossed out of Senegal, followed with them being welcomed back in by the new rulers, who are as corrupt as the old ones, with plenty of cash bribes. This is convenient for El Hadji(Thierno Leye), one of the… More
  [font=Century Gothic]"Xala" starts with the European rulers being tossed out of Senegal, followed with them being welcomed back in by the new rulers, who are as corrupt as the old ones, with plenty of cash bribes. This is convenient for El Hadji(Thierno Leye), one of the ministers, who needs the money because he is soon getting married for the third time to a much younger woman, Ngone(Diaynaba Niang). His first two wives(Seun Samb & Younouss Seye) are mixed about welcoming another wife into the family but his daughter, Rama(Miriam Niamg), is rather angry at the whole situation. The wedding goes well until the night when he cannot consummate the marriage. And then the rooster takes one for the team...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Xala" is a critical movie that examines post-colonial Africa in a humorous fashion. Writer-director Ousmane Sembene is commenting that for Africans to be truly independent speaking their native language, it has to be for all of its citizens, especially its women and poor.(There is a decided class consciousness in the movie.) But after a rewarding beginning and middle, the movie eventually loses its way, as it gets as distracted as its protagonist with his impotence. And what an ending! [/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font]